Caviar

Sturgeon are anadromous species, returning to fresh water rivers and streams to breed after spending some of their lives in salt water. 

Due to loss of habitat and overfishing, sturgeon from the Caspian, Black, Azov and Adriatic Sea basins are severely depleted and some vulnerable to extinction. Their survival will depend on fisheries managers to control fishing and restocking efforts from hatcheries.

The world has turned to aquaculture in order to source valuable caviar from these species. In the US, sturgeon are grown in tanks on land with enclosed systems that simulate natural conditions. To maximize efficiency and reduce waste, water can be passed through the tanks to hatcheries and ponds before being filtered.  

According to Seafood Watch, “Overall, farming sturgeon in the US does not result in significant ecological risks or impacts.”

MORE ABOUT PADDLEFISH CAVIAR

Paddlefish, or "spoonbills," are an ancient species of fish closely related to sturgeons. Native to the Mississippi River drainage basin, paddlefish historically ranged as far east as New York and as far west as Montana. Paddlefish populations have been greatly reduced due to overfishing and habitat loss; in some states the species no longer exists.

Commercial Sources

Paddlefish are only naturally found in the United States. They have been introduced to several other nations but are not exported back to the U.S.

Capture Methods

In the past, paddlefish caviar was only available from the capture of wild fish. However, paddlefish farms are now in full-scale production and account for the majority of paddlefish caviar on the market.

MORE ABOUT WHITE STURGEON CAVIAR

White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America, growing up to six feet long (1.8 meters) and weighing up to a ton. White sturgeon were once widely distributed from Alaska to Central California, but populations are now severely depleted and large fish are very rare.

MORE ABOUT WHITE STURGEON CAVIAR

White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America, growing up to six feet long (1.8 meters) and weighing up to a ton. White sturgeon were once widely distributed from Alaska to Central California, but populations are now severely depleted and large fish are very rare.

MORE ABOUT OSETRA CAVIAR

Russian sturgeon, highly valued for their gray-brown Osetra caviar, live in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. These bony fish can be over 6 feet (2 meters) long and weigh as much as 250 pounds. Caviar demand is driving Russian sturgeon populations to possible extinction.

Commercial Sources

Endangered Russian sturgeon are caught in the Caspian Sea by Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iran. There is some farmed production throughout Europe.

Capture Methods

Russian sturgeon are caught using gillnets. Russian sturgeon farms have started in Europe and Russia, though production has been limited to date.

MORE ABOUT LAKE STURGEON CAVIAR

Lake sturgeon are long-lived, bony fish that can reach up to five feet (1.5 meters) and 80 pounds. Sturgeon are often referred to as "living fossils," since they have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

Commercial Sources

All lake sturgeon roe sold commercially is caught in Canada. Most U.S. states with lake sturgeon populations prohibit commercial harvests.

Capture Methods

Lake sturgeon are caught in Canada using gillnets. In Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago, a small recreational spear fishery still exists. The fish have not been commercially farmed to date.

MORE ABOUT BELUGA STURGEON CAVIAR

Beluga are an ancient species of fish that live in the Caspian Sea region. They can reach lengths of 15 feet (4.5 meters) and weigh over a ton. Beluga populations are on the brink of extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. Beluga caviar, costing around $100 an ounce, is the main reason for the overexploitation of this species.

Commercial Sources

The main commercial sources of beluga are Iran and the former Soviet republics of Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Capture Methods

Beluga are caught using gillnets. There has been no farmed beluga caviar production to date.

MORE ABOUT SEVRUGA CAVIAR

Stellate sturgeon are the smallest and most abundant sturgeon in the Caspian Sea and can also be found in the Azov and Black Seas. Fully grown, they can reach almost seven feet (2 meters) in length and weigh almost 200 pounds. The stellate's small gray eggs are sold as Sevruga caviar, one of the world's most prized caviars.

Commercial Sources

Stellate sturgeon are caught using gillnets. They are also farmed in Europe.

Capture Methods

Stellate sturgeon are caught using gillnets. They are also farmed in Europe, though mainly for meat production to date.

MORE ABOUT PADDLEFISH CAVIAR

Paddlefish, or "spoonbills," are an ancient species of fish closely related to sturgeons. Native to the Mississippi River drainage basin, paddlefish historically ranged as far east as New York and as far west as Montana. Paddlefish populations have been greatly reduced due to overfishing and habitat loss; in some states the species no longer exists.

COMMERCIAL SOURCES

Paddlefish are only naturally found in the United States. They have been introduced to several other nations but are not exported back to the U.S.

CAPTURE METHODS

In the past, paddlefish caviar was only available from the capture of wild fish. However, paddlefish farms are now in full-scale production and account for the majority of paddlefish caviar on the market.